Anti-vibration clamp

ABSTRACT

An anti-vibration clamp for holding pipes includes a pipe holding component which further includes pipe holders for locking the pipes; a clamp body including a stud locking portion for locking to a stud, and a floating attachment portion for holding the pipe holding component; and an elastic connecting component made of soft resin placed between the pipe holding component and the clamp body so that the pipe holding component and the clamp body do not contact one another directly. The pipe holding component, the elastic connecting component and the clamp body are held so that it is difficult for them to each slip mutually.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/015,165, filed on Aug. 30, 2013 which claims priority from JapanesePatent Application No. 2012-191,129, filed on Aug. 31, 2012, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a pipe clamp for holding an itemhaving a long and narrow shape such as a pipe or wire harness on anattached component of a car body; and in particular to an anti-vibrationclamp which is made so that it does not transmit the vibration from anitem such as a pipe or tube or the like to an attached component on acar body or the like, or transmit the vibration from an attachedcomponent such as a body panel or the like to an item such as a pipe orthe like.

Pipe clamps are known which are provided with a clamp portion whichholds a long component such as a pipe or the like, and a main bodyportion which is securely attached to an attached component such as thebody panel of an automobile or the like, and in which the pipe isattached to an attached component by means of securely fixing the mainbody portion to the attached component, the pipe being held in the clampportion. The clamp portion has an open portion on top so as to receivethe pipe, and is constructed so as to contain the pipe in a U-shapedspace formed from a pair of side wall portions and a bottom portions;and the contained pipe is held so as to not slip out of the clampportion. The main body portion has a secure attaching means forattaching to an attached component such as a body panel or the like, andis securely fixed to an attached component such as a body panel of acard body, or the like.

There may be instances in which vibration is produced in the pipe,caused by the pulsation of fluids passing through the pipe, or the like.It is necessary to prevent transmitting this sort of vibration throughthe pipe clamp to the car body side. Also, it is necessary to make it sothat the vibration of the car body side is not transmitted to the pipethrough the pipe clamp.

For this reason, there are pipe clamps that hold the pipe with a softplastic material or the like. In this pipe clamp, the pipe does notdirectly come in contact with a pipe holding component made of hardplastic, and it becomes difficult for the vibration of the pipe to bepropagated to the car body side. However, there is no avoiding alowering of the holding power for the pipe.

Furthermore, there are pipe clamps which make transmitting vibrationfrom the clamp portion to the main body portion difficult by forming theclamp portion which holds the pipe and the main body portion which issecurely fixed to the attached component from hard plastic, and placingan elastic component made from rubber or soft plastic between the clampportion and the main body portion. This sort of floating-type clamp iseffective for absorbing vibration. However, the problem exists that itis difficult to join a soft elastic component to a hard clamp portionand main body portion.

Japanese unexamined patent publication JP2008-190682 discloses ananti-vibration clamp device which is comprised of a tube holdingcomponent which has a holding portion holding each of multiple tubes orthe like individually, each holding portion being connected integrallyat the base by a hard synthetic resin; a body mounting component formedfrom a hard synthetic resin for securely fixing the tube holdingcomponent to the body and the like; and an elastic connecting componentplaced between the tube holding component and the body mountingcomponent which has a vibration absorbing function and elasticallyconnects the tube holding component and the body mounting component. Theelastic connecting component remains between the tube holding componentand the body mounting component and has a function which prevents thetransmission of vibration between both.

In the anti-vibration clamp device of JP2008-190682, because an elasticconnecting component with a complex shape exists in the space betweenthe tube-holding component and the body mounting component, it isdifficult for each component to slip. However, when the tube holdingcomponent and the body mounting component have been set in a mold, arubber-like compound or a soft synthetic resin is poured in and hardened, forming the elastic connecting component; that is, because insertmolding is done, equipment for insert molding and metallic molds areneeded.

Japanese unexamined patent publication JP2005-155749 discloses a pipeclamp provided with a car body joining component made of a hard materialfor attaching to a car body; a pipe holder made of a hard material forholding a pipe; and an anti-vibration component made from a softmaterial which is interposed between them. The anti-vibration componentis provided with an engaging portion for the car body joining componentand an engaging portion for the pipe holding component. When the threeparts are assembled together, it is attached so that the anti-vibrationcomponent is laid down on the outer side of the pipe holding component,and the assembled unit of the pipe holding component and theanti-vibration component is inserted into the car body joiningcomponent. The space between the pipe holding component and theanti-vibration component and the space between the anti-vibrationcomponent and the car body joining component are mutually engaged bymeans of an engaging portion.

In the pipe clamp of JP2005-155749, the three parts can be assembled bya manual operation. The space between the pipe holding component and theanti-vibration component and the space between the anti-vibrationcomponent and the car body joining component are prevented from slippingout by means of ribs, protuberances, or the like. In regard to theengaging portion of the anti-vibration component made from softmaterial, there is the fear that each part may slip when a strong forceis applied in the axial direction of the pipe.

Japanese unexamined patent publication JP2006-226394 discloses a clampcomprised of a clamp body which is capable of holding a pipe; ananti-vibration component made of rubber which is mounted on the mainbody; and a clip which engaging with the main body of the clamp, locksat the body panel. The clamp body, anti-vibration component, and clipare assembled by mounting the anti-vibration component on a mountingportion of the clamp body, and a long plate at the top of the clippasses through a long aperture portion of the anti-vibration component,and being rotated, the long plate is placed between protuberances on theupper surface of the anti-vibration component. In the clamp ofJP2006-226394, by rotating it as far as the attachment position, thesliding resistance becomes small, and it becomes possible to objectivelydetermine that it has been attached in a specific position.

However, in the clamp of JP2006-226394, the rotation of the clamp bodyand the clip is stopped by means of protuberances on the upper surfaceof the anti-vibration component, and when a strong force is applied inthe direction of rotation, the concern exists that the clip may rotate.Also, because the clamp body and the clip contact in a narrow surfacearea, there is a concern that the clamp body, the clip, and theanti-vibration component may slip relative to one another when a strongforce is applied from the outside.

Japanese unexamined patent publication JP2001-241569 discloses a pipesupport component which is provided with a pipe holding component, apair of tubular rubber components (elastic components) which are mountedin an insertion aperture of a pipe holding component and a lockingcomponent which is mounted in the inner aperture of a tube of a rubbercomponent. A pair of rubber components is inserted from both sides ofthe insertion aperture of a pipe holding component, and if the lockingcomponent is inserted in the inner aperture of the tube of the rubbercomponent, a hook of the locking component engages with a groove of therubber component to prevent slipping.

However, in the pipe holding component of JP2001-241569, because thelocking component and the rubber component engage by a hook beinginserted in a groove, the joining strength is weak. Furthermore, thepair of rubber components which are inserted from both sides of theinsertion aperture do not mutually join. For this reason, the joiningstrength between the mutual parts is inadequate.

For this reason, an anti-vibration clamp is sought which has highjoining strength between the structural parts, in which it is difficultfor the pipe holding component which holds the pipe, the clamp bodywhich attaches to the body panel or the like, and the elastic componentbetween these to slip.

In addition, an anti-vibration clamp is sought which can be simplymolded without using equipment for insert molding or a metallic mold.

In addition, an anti-vibration clamp is sought in which the structuralparts can be simply assembled without the use of assembly tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to offer an anti-vibration clampwith high joining strength between the structural parts, in which thepipe holding component which holds the pipe, the clamp body whichattaches to a body panel or the like, and the elastic component betweenthese slip with difficulty.

Another object of the present invention is to offer an anti-vibrationclamp which can be simply molded without using equipment for insertmolding or a metallic mold.

Another object of the present invention is to offer an anti-vibrationclamp in which the structural parts can be simply assembled without theuse of assembly tools.

In the present invention, the pipe holding component for holding a pipeor the like, and the clamp body which attaches to a body panel, aremolded from a separate, individual hard resin, and an elastic connectingcomponent made from a soft resin is placed between them so that the pipeholding component and the clamp body are not in direct contact. If theelastic connecting component is drawn out by hand and laid down on thepipe holding component, the locking means of the pipe holding componentand the locking means of the elastic connecting component are locked,and the pipe holding component and the elastic connecting component donot slip.

In addition, the assembled unit of the pipe holding component and theelastic connecting component locks with the locking means of the clampbody so that the pipe holding component, elastic connecting means andclamp body do not mutually slip.

One embodiment of the present invention is an anti-vibration clamp forholding a pipe and is provided with a pipe holding component made ofhard resin, which has a pipe holder for holding a pipe; a clamp bodymade of hard resin which has a stud locking portion for locking to astud, and a floating attachment portion for holding the pipe holdingcomponent; and an elastic connecting component made of soft resin placedbetween the pipe holding component and the clamp body so that the pipeholding component and the clamp body are not in direct contact, and sothat the pipe holding component, the elastic connecting component, andthe clamp body are held so that they do not each slip mutually, that isrelative to each other.

Because the pipe holding component and the clamp body are not in directcontact, it is possible to obtain an anti-vibration component with ahigh anti-vibration function.

Also, it is possible to securely hold the pipe because the pipe holdingcomponent, the elastic connecting component, and the clamp body do notslip mutually, by means of a locking means.

The pipe holding component has a holding rib which projects at one endportion and the elastic connecting component has a holding ribcontaining portion at one end which contains the holding rib, and theclamp body, at one end of the floating attachment portion has a holdingrib insertion aperture into which the holding rib containing portionenters; and the holding rib is contained in the holding rib insertionaperture through the holding rib containing portion, and it is desirablefor the holding rib of the pipe holding component to be held withoutcontacting the clamp body.

In this way, it is possible to obtain a high anti-vibration function,while preventing the pipe holding component from slipping in the upwardor sideways direction of the clamp body.

The pipe holding component has a ridge portion on the bottom of the endopposite the end already mentioned, and the elastic connecting componenthas a curved portion, which is curved, for containing the ridge portion,at the end opposite the end already mentioned, and the clamp body has alock bar which projects in a diagonally downward direction, at the endopposite the end already mentioned of the floating attachment portion;and the ridge portion of the pipe holding component is contained in thecurved portion of the elastic connecting component, and the curvedportion of the elastic connecting component is pressed by the lock barof the clamp body; and it is desirable that the ridge portion of thepipe holding component is held so that it does not contact the clampbody.

In this way, it is possible to achieve a high anti-vibration function,and it is possible to prevent the pipe holding component from slippingin the upward or sideways direction of the clamp body.

The pipe holder of the pipe holding component has a pair of sidesurfaces, and the elastic connecting component has a pair of side wallsfor both sides of the pair of side surfaces; the floating attachmentportion of the clamp body has a pair of side walls for both sides of thepair of side walls of the elastic connecting component, and the sidesurfaces of the pipe holding component is placed between the pair ofside walls of the floating attachment portion through the pair of sidewalls of the elastic connecting component; and it is desirable that thepair of surface portions of the pipe holding component do not contactthe side walls of the clamp body.

In this way, it is possible to achieve a high anti-vibration functionand it is possible to prevent the pipe holding component from slippingin the width-wise direction of the clamp body.

On the upper part of the pipe holder of the pipe holding component,there are a pair of inclined portions which are inclined to the outersides in the width-wise direction and a pair of planar plate portionshaving a planar shape on the lower part of the inclined portions; andthe upper surface of the elastic connecting component has a pair ofplate engaging portions; it is desirable that the pair of pair of plateengaging portions of the elastic connecting component be placed on thelower part of the pair of plate components of the pipe holdingcomponent.

In this way, it is possible to prevent the pipe holding component fromslipping from the clamp body downwards.

A bottom portion wall is formed in part of the bottom portion of theelastic connecting component, and it is desirable that this bottomportion wall cover part of the base portion of the pipe holdingcomponent.

In this way, it is possible to prevent the pipe holding component fromslipping from the elastic connecting component downwards.

The pipe held by the pipe holding component is held by the pipe supportportion of the pipe holding component and the pipe contacting portion ofthe elastic connecting component, and it is desirable that it does notcontact the clamp body.

In this way, it is possible to again prevent the vibration of the pipefrom being transmitted to the body side panel.

The clamp body also has a pipe holder, and the pipe can be held in thepipe holder of the clamp body as well.

When the anti-vibration clamp is attached to a stud securely fixed to anattached component, it is desirable that only the stud locking portionof the clamp body abut the attached component.

In this way, it is possible to increase the anti-vibration function.

By means of the present invention, it is possible to offer ananti-vibration clamp with high joining strength between the structuralparts, it being difficult for the pipe holding component which holds thepipe, the clamp body which attaches to the body panel and the elasticconnecting component between them to slip.

Also, by means of the present invention, it is possible to offer ananti-vibration vibration clamp which can be molded simply without usingequipment for insert molding or metallic molds.

Further, by means of the present invention, it is possible to offer ananti-vibration clamp in which the structural parts can be assembledsimply without the use of assembly tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique drawing of a pipe holding component according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a top plan view of the pipe holding component of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a front elevation of the pipe holding component of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C is a right elevation of the pipe holding component of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an III-III cross-section of 2B.

FIG. 4 is an IV-IV cross-section of 2B.

FIG. 5 is a V-V cross-section of 2B.

FIG. 6 is an VI-VI cross-section of 2B.

FIG. 7 is an oblique drawing of the elastic connecting componentaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a top plan view of the elastic connecting component of FIG.7.

FIG. 8B is a front elevation of the elastic connecting component of FIG.7.

FIG. 8C is a bottom plan view of the elastic connecting component ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 8D is a right elevation of the elastic connecting component of FIG.7.

FIG. 9 is an IX-IX cross-section of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 10 is an oblique drawing of the clamp body according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11A is a top plan view of the clamp body of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11B is a front elevation of the clamp body of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11C is a bottom plan view of the clamp body of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11D is a right elevation of the clamp body of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a XII-XII cross-section of FIG. 11B.

FIG. 13 is a XIII-XIII cross-section of FIG. 11B.

FIG. 14 is an XIV-XIV cross-section of FIG. 11B.

FIG. 15 is a XV-XV cross-section of FIG. 11B.

FIG. 16 is an XVI-XVI cross-section of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 17 is a XVII-XVII cross-section of FIG. 11B.

FIG. 18 is an XVIII-XVIII cross-section of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 19A is an oblique drawing which shows the appearance of the pipeholding component and the elastic connecting component before assembly.

FIG. 19B is an oblique drawing which shows the appearance when the pipeholding component and the elastic connecting component are assembled andinserted into the clamp body.

FIG. 19C is a cross-section of FIG. 19B.

FIG. 20 is an oblique drawing which shows the anti-vibration clamp in acompleted state with the pipe holding component and the elasticconnecting component inserted in the clamp body.

FIG. 21A is a top plan view of the anti-vibration clamp of FIG. 20.

FIG. 21B is a front elevation of the anti-vibration clamp of FIG. 20.

FIG. 21C is a right elevation of the anti-vibration clamp of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is an XXII-XXII cross-section of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 23 is a XXIII-XXIII cross-section of FIG. 21B.

FIG. 24 is the same cross-section as in FIG. 22, and shows theappearance when the anti-vibration clamp is assembled on a stud securelyfixed to a body panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the following, an anti-vibration clamp 1 according to an embodimentof the present invention will be explained with reference to thedrawings. Anti-vibration clamp 1 is provided with a pipe holdingcomponent 10 made from a hard resin, for holding a pipe or the like; aclamp body 30 made from a hard resin, for attaching to a body panel orthe like; and an elastic connecting component 50 made from soft resinbetween the pipe holding component 10 and the clamp body 30. First, thepipe holding component 10 will be explained, referring to FIGS. 1-6.Next, the elastic connecting component 50 will be explained, referringto FIGS. 7-9. Then, clamp body 30 will be explained, with reference toFIGS. 10-18.

Following this, the operation for assembling the pipe holding component10, main body clamp 30, and elastic connecting component 50, and theassembled anti-vibration clamp 1 will be explained with reference toFIGS. 19-23. Lastly, the appearance when the anti-vibration clamp isattached to a stud securely fixed on a body panel will be explained,with reference to FIG. 24.

In the explanation of the embodiment of the present invention, theup-and-down direction of FIG. 21B is called the up-and-down direction.The direction perpendicular to the pipe (the horizontal direction of21B) is called the horizontal direction, and the direction parallel tothe pipe (the up-and-down direction of 21A) is called the width-wisedirection.

FIG. 1 is an oblique drawing of the pipe holding component 10. FIG. 2Ais a top plan view of the pipe holding component 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2Bis a front elevation view, and FIG. 2C is a right elevation view. Pipeholding component 10 is molded from a hard resin such as polyacetal(POM) or the like. Pipe holding component 10 is provided with a roughlyrectangular planar base portion 16. The left-hand portion of baseportion 16 is much higher than the right-hand portion. Elasticconnecting component 50 enters at the bottom side of this left-hand sideportion. A ridge 18 which projects in the horizontal direction is formedon the left end portion of base portion 16. Ridge 18 forms a lockingmeans which engages with elastic connecting component 50.

On the upper part of base 16, there is a portion which holds variouspipes such as a fuel pipe, brake fluid pipe, or the like. In thisembodiment, the pipe holding component 10 has a pipe holder Si on theupper portion of base plate 16, for holding one pipe P1 of mediumthickness, and a pipe holder S2 for holding one pipe P2 which has alarger thickness than pipe P1. Pipe holders S1, S2 are formed in variousconfigurations and sizes so as to hold various pipes such as fuel pipesand brake fluid pipes, and the like. The number, size and configurationsof the pipe holders may be selected as desired to match the pipes whichare held.

Pipe holder S1 is a U-shaped space for holding a long narrow item such apipe or the like. In the central portion of the horizontal direction ofS1, there is a pipe bottom support 11 for holding a pipe P1. The pipebottom support 11 is curved with a diameter to match the radius of pipeP1 which is being held. Pipe bottom support 11 extends in the width-wisedirection of pipe holding component 10. FIG. 3 is an III-IIIcross-section of FIG. 2B. Both sides of the width-wise direction of pipebottom support 11 are bent slightly upwards so as to press on P1 with apressing force.

Both sides of the horizontal direction of pipe bottom support 11 are thepipe support 12 which is curved with a diameter which matches the radiusof pipe P1, and the upper portion of the left-hand side of pipe support12 becomes a perpendicular wall 13, and the sides of S1 extend in aroughly perpendicular direction. In the middle portion of the left-handside perpendicular wall 13 there is a convex portion 14 which extends inthe width-wise direction of pipe holding component 10 in order to presson the pipe when the pipe is contained. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.5—which is a V-V cross-section of FIG. 2B—there is below convex portion14 a protuberance 26 for holding the pipe in the central portion of thewidth-wise direction.

The upper portion of the right-hand side pipe support 12 has a boundarywall 25 between it and the pipe holder S2. An elastic holding tab 15extends diagonally from the upper surface of boundary wall 25 in thedirection of pipe holder S1. The elastic holding tab 15 holds the pipeP1 contained in pipe holder S1 from diagonally upwards.

When containing pipe P1 in the pipe holder S1, if pipe P1 is pressedfrom above in between the elastic holding tab 15 and the left-hand sideperpendicular wall 13, the elastic holding tab 15 is bent and P1 isreceived. If pipe P1 is inserted far enough to abut pipe bottom support11, elastic tab 15 returns to its original position, and pipe P1 isheld, being pressed from diagonally upwards.

Pipe holding component 10 has a pipe holder S2 in order to hold a pipeP2 which is thicker than pipe P1 contained in pipe holder S1. As shownin FIG. 1 and in FIG. 6—which is an F-F cross-section of FIG. 2B—thereis no pipe bottom support portion 11 in pipe holder S2, and a pipesupport portion 12 is formed with a diameter curved to match the radiusof pipe P2. Pipe support 12, from the lowest point connected to baseportion 16, is curved with a diameter larger than the radius of pipe P2contained on both sides, and as large as the thickness of the pipecontacting portion 53 of the elastic connecting component 50, which willbe described later. On top of the portion where the diameter of theleft-hand side of pipe support 12 is widest, a shelf portion 27 projectsat the pipe holder S2 and extends in the width-wise direction. The lowersurface of shelf portion is such that it presses down on the uppersurface of pipe contacting portion 53 of the elastic connectingcomponent 50. The boundary wall 25 extends from the shelf portion 27upwards. The sides of pipe holder S2 extend in a roughly perpendiculardirection. Elastic holding tab 15 extends diagonally from the uppersurface of boundary wall 25 in the direction of the pipe holder S2. Thatis, elastic holding tab 15 extends in both directions of pipe holders S1and S2 from the upper surface of boundary wall 25.

The right side of pipe support 12 is the end wall 19. A convex portion14 is formed at the end wall 19 to press down on the pipe. The bottomsurface of convex portion 14 is planar, and it is such that it pressesdown on the upper surface of pipe contacting portion 53 of the elasticconnecting component 50. As shown in FIG. 4—which is an IV-IVcross-section of FIG. 2B—a space is formed between convex portion 14 andend wall 19, and convex portion 14 becomes easy to bend.

In containing pipe P2 in pipe holder S2, if P2 is pressed down betweenelastic holding tab 15 and convex portion 14 from above, elastic holdingtab 15 is bent and pipe P2 is received. If pipe P2 is inserted farenough to abut pipe support portion 12, elastic holding tab 15 returnsto its original position, and pipe P2 is held, being pressed fromdiagonally upwards.

The number of pipe holders S1 for holding a pipe P1 of moderatethickness, and pipe holders S2 for holding a thick pipe S2 may besuitably selected according to the use.

The lower portion of the boundary wall 25 between pipe holder S1 andpipe holder S2 is a vacant portion 17 which is vacant. The top ofboundary wall 25 is planar. As shown in FIG. 2C, from both sides of thetop of boundary wall 25 in the width-wise direction, a pair of inclinedportions 21 are formed whose width grows wider downwards. A pair ofplates 22 are formed which project in the width-wise direction at thelower part of the inclined portions 21. As will be explained later, theelastic connecting component pushes out and widens along the inclinedportions 21 and the elastic connecting component 50 and the plates 22being engaged, it is possible to engage the pipe holding component 10 atthe elastic connecting component 50.

On the bottom side surface of the right-hand side end wall 19 of pipeholding component 10, a planar holding rib 24 is formed for engagingwith the elastic connecting component 50. Holding rib 24 engages withthe holding rib aperture 62 of the elastic connecting component 50. Asshown in FIG. 2A, the base portion 16 of pipe holding component 10, thepipe support 12, and the perpendicular wall 13 have a fixed length inthe width-wise direction and the end surface of the width-wise directionof these parts become a pair of side surfaces 23. In FIG. 1, althoughreference number 23 indicates the side surface of end wall 19, sidesurface 23 is the side surface of base portion 16, pipe support 12,perpendicular wall 13 and end wall 19.

FIG. 7 is an oblique drawing of the elastic connecting component 50according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A is a topplan view of the elastic connecting component 50 of FIG. 7, FIG. 8B is afront elevation, FIG. 8C is a bottom plan view, and FIG. 8D a rightelevation view. FIG. 9 is an IX-IX cross-section of FIG. 8A. The elasticconnecting component 50 is formed from a soft resin having ananti-vibration function, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE.)By means of laying down the elastic connecting component 50 on the pipeholding component 10 and attaching to clamp body 30, it is possible toachieve a function such that vibration is not transmitted between thepipe holding component 10 and the clamp body 30.

The elastic connecting component 50 has side walls 51 on both sides ofthe width-wise direction of elastic connecting component 50, and endwall 54 on the left-hand side in the horizontal direction, and an endwall 55 on the right-hand side in the horizontal direction. A U-shapedpipe contacting portion 52 is formed at the position corresponding topipe holder S1. Pipe contacting portion 52 is formed on both sides inthe width-wise direction, and the portion between is vacant. A U-shapedpipe contacting portion 53 is formed at the position corresponding topipe holder S2. Pipe contacting portion 53 is formed from the end in thewidth-wise direction to the end. A groove 58 which extends in thewidth-wise direction is formed in the lower portion of end wall 54. Thisgroove 58 forms a locking means which locks so that elastic connectingcomponent 50 does not slip out of clamp body 30.

The bottom side of groove 58 is a curved portion 59 which is curved.Ridge 18 of pipe holding component 10 is contained in curved portion 59,forming a locking means which locks so that pipe holding component 10and elastic connecting component 50 do not slip.

As shown in FIG. 9—which is an IX-IX cross-section of FIG. 8A—a bottomwall 56 extends in the horizontal direction from the curved portion 59of the left-hand side. Bottom wall 56 is placed on the bottom side ofthe portion which is much higher, on the left-hand side portion of thebase portion 16 of the pipe holding component 10. Bottom wall 56 has aholding function so that the pipe holding component 10 and the elasticconnecting component 50 do not slip in the up-and-down direction. Theright-hand side of bottom wall 56 becomes a vacant portion 57, and theboundary wall 25 of the central portion of pipe holding component 10 iscontained in vacant portion 57.

A holding rib containing portion 61 is formed in the central portion ofthe end wall 55 of the right-hand side, and in order to contain theholding rib 24 of the pipe holding component 10 in the central portionof the holding rib containing portion 61, a holding rib aperture 62which conforms to the shape of holding rib 24 is formed. By containingthe holding rib 24 of the pipe holding component 10 in the holding ribaperture 62, the elastic connecting component 50 is held so that it doesnot slip from the pipe holding component 10. An aperture portion isformed in the central portion of the upper part of end wall 55 so thatend wall 19 of pipe holding component 10 can pass through this apertureportion.

A pair of plate engaging portions 63 are formed between pipe contactingportion 52 and pipe contacting portion 53, and it becomes possible toengage these with the bottom surface of the planar portion 22 of pipeholding component 10. By means of engaging the planar portion 22 of pipeholding component 10 with the plate engaging portion 63, it is possibleto hold it so that the elastic connecting component 50 does not slipupwards from the pipe holding component 10, and, moreover, vibrationsare not transmitted.

Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19C, when pipe holding component 10 and theelastic connecting component 50 are in the assembled form, theperpendicular wall 13 of the pipe holding component 10, abuts the innerside of end wall 54 of the elastic connecting component 50, and ridge 18of pipe holding component 10 is contained on the inner side of thecurved portion 59 of elastic connecting component 50. Boundary wall 25of pipe holding component 10 passes through the vacant portion 57 ofelastic connecting component 50 and out to the upper portion.

Now referring to FIGS. 19B and 19C, pipe bottom support 11 and pipesupport 12 of the left-hand side in the horizontal direction of pipeholding component 10, enter between a pair of pipe contacting portions52 which are opposite in the width-wise direction elastic connectingcomponent 50. Pipe P1 is supported by pipe bottom support 11 and pipesupport 12 and a pair of pipe contacting portions 52. Pipe support 12 ofthe right-hand side of the horizontal direction of pipe holdingcomponent 10 is covered by the pipe contacting portion 53 of elasticconnecting component 50, and pipe P2 is supported by pipe contactingportion 53 of elastic connecting component 50.

End wall 19 of pipe holding component 10 projects upwards and outwardsfrom the vacant space between the pipe contacting portion 53 of elasticconnecting component 50 and the holding rib containing portion 61.Holding rib 24 of pipe holding component 10 is contained in the holdingrib aperture 62 of the elastic connecting component 50. A pair of sidesurfaces 23 of pipe holding component 10 are placed between the two sidewalls 51 of elastic connecting component 50.

FIG. 10 is an oblique drawing of clamp body 30. FIG. 11A is a top planview of the clamp body 30, FIG. 11B is a front elevation view, FIG. 11Cis a bottom plan view, and FIG. 11D is a right elevation view. Clampbody 30 has a stud locking portion 70 for locking the central portion ofclamp body 30 to a stud attached to the side of a car body; a left-handside pipe attaching component 30 a; and a right-hand side floatingattachment component 40. Because pipe attaching component 30 a attachesdirectly to a small diameter pipe, it has slight pipe vibrationattenuating function. In the floating attachment portion 40, because thepipe holding component 10 is attached through the elastic connectingcomponent 50, the pipe vibration attenuating function is excellent.Clamp body 30 is formed from a hard resin such as polyacetal (POM) orthe like.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 24, two pipe holders S3 and S4 for holdingnarrow pipes P3, P4 are formed in the pipe attaching portion 30 a ofclamp body 30. Pipe attaching portion 30 a has a roughly rectangularbase portion 36 in the bottom portion. Pipe holder S3 has a pipe bottomsupport 31 in its central portion for supporting P3. Pipe bottom support31 is curved with a diameter which conforms to the radius of pipe P3which is contained. Pipe bottom support 31 extends in the width-wisedirection of clamp body 30. FIG. 14 is an XIV-XIV cross-section of FIG.11B. Both sides in the width-wise direction of pipe bottom support 31curve slightly upwards so that the pipe is pressed with a pressingforce.

Both sides in the horizontal direction of pipe bottom support 31 arepipe supports 32 which are curved with a diameter that conforms to theradius of P3. The left-hand side of pipe holder S3 is end wall 33, andthe sides of pipe holder S3 extend roughly in the perpendiculardirection. The right hand side of pipe holder S3 is middle wall 37. Themiddle portion of middle wall 37 has a convex portion 34 for pressingdown on pipe P3 when pipe P3 is contained. Elastic holding tab 35extends diagonally from the top end portion of end wall 33 in thedirection of pipe holder S3. Elastic holding tab 35 holds pipe P3 fromthe diagonally upwards direction. A pair of protuberances 38 are placedwhere the width of pipe support 32 is widest. Protuberance 38 has thefunction of holding P3 from the left and the right, when P3 is held inpipe holder S3.

In containing narrow pipe P3 in pipe holder S3, when P3 is pushedbetween elastic holding tab 35 and middle wall 37, elastic holding tab35 is bent, and P3 is received. If P3 is inserted until it abuts pipebottom support 31, elastic holding tab 35 returns to its originalposition and pipe P3 is held in pipe holder S3, being pressed down fromthe diagonally upwards direction.

Pipe holder S4 has a shape with left and right symmetry to pipe holderS3, and an explanation of pipe holder S4 will be omitted. The boundaryof pipe holder S4 and stud locking portion 70 is middle wall 39.

The floating attachment portion 40 of clamp body 30 is the part whichattaches the pipe holding component 10 though the elastic connectingcomponent 50. As shown in FIG. 11C, which is a bottom plan view and inFIG. 12—which is a XII-XII cross-section of FIG. 11B—the bottom surfaceof floating attachment portion 40 is a vacant space, and pipe holdingcomponent 10 and elastic connecting component 50 enter this portionwhich is vacant. As shown in FIG. 15—which is a XV-XV cross-section ofFIG. 11B—floating attachment portion 40 has a pair of side walls 41which are opposite in the width direction. A pair of side walls 51 ofelastic connecting component 50 enters between side walls 41. Asemicircular pipe passage 42 and a pipe passage 43 are formed in sidewalls 41. Pipe support 12 of pipe holding component 10 and the pipecontacting portion 52 of the elastic connecting component 50 of bothsides of its width direction enter between the pair of pipe passages 42.Pipe support 12 of pipe holding component 10 and the pipe contactingportion 53 overlap between the pair of pipe passages 43.

At the left end of side wall 41, there is a middle wall 44. Middle wall44 is the wall for the boundary of floating attachment portion 40 andstud locking portion 70. In the lower part of the central portion ofmiddle wall 44, there is a lock bar 49 which extends diagonallydownwards. If elastic connecting component 50 is inserted in clamp body30, lock bar 49 engages in groove 58 of elastic connecting component 50forming a locking means which locks so that the curved portion 59 ofelastic connecting component 50 and ridge 18 of pipe holding component10 do not slip from clamp body 30.

The right end portion of side wall 41 is the end portion of clamp body30, and is end wall 45. As shown in FIG. 16—which is an XVI-XVIcross-section of FIG. 11A—a crank 47 which projects towards thedirection of the right is formed on the top of end wall 45; and arectangular holding rib aperture 48 is formed below crank 47. Lockingcan be done by inserting holding rib 24 of pipe holding component 10 andholding rib containing portion 61 of elastic connecting component 50 inthe holding rib insertion aperture 48. Holding rib insertion aperture 48forms the locking means.

A stud locking portion 70 is placed at the central portion between pipeattaching portion 30 a of clamp body 30 and floating attachment 40, forlocking clamp body 30 at the stud ST attached to the car body side (SeeFIG. 24). As shown in FIG. 12—which is a XII-XII cross-section of FIG.11B—and FIG. 13—which is the XIII-XIII cross-section—, the width of studlocking portion 70 is less than the width of the floating attachmentportion 40. The stud locking portion 70 of the present embodiment is thetype which locks at a stud ST which hangs down from a body panel of theupper portion of a car.

The upper surface of the stud locking portion 70 is a ridge 72 in whichthe outer periphery is much higher, and the central portion is muchlower. Only the ridge 72 contacts the body panel and is such that it isdifficult for the pipe vibration to be transmitted to the body panel. Arim 73 which extends up-and-down is formed on both end portions in thewidth direction of the stud locking portion 70 to increase the strengthof the stud locking portion 70.

Stud locking portion 70 has a locking hook 71 which engages with a screwthread of stud ST. As shown in FIG. 18—which is an XVIII-XVIIIcross-section of

FIG. 11A—locking hook 71 extends diagonally downward from middle wall 39and middle wall 44. Locking hook 71 is placed in the diagonal directionso as to lock from both directions of stud ST. The opposite locking hook71 has a different height in order to match the difference in height ofthe screw thread of stud ST. As shown in FIG. 17—which is a XVII-XVIIcross-section of FIG. 11B—locking hook 71 extends in the widthdirection. Although there are two pairs of locking hooks 71 in thepresent embodiment, the number of locking hooks 71 is not limited to twopairs.

Conversely, the present embodiment can be of the type which locks to astud which extends from low to high. In this case, locking hook 71extends from below in a diagonally upward direction. The means forattaching the clamp body 30 to the side of a car body is not limited tolocking to a stud by means of locking hook 71. The clamp body 30 may beattached to the side of a car body by other known means such as ananchor leg clip, or the like.

The procedure will be explained in which pipe holding component 10 andelastic connecting component 50 are assembled, and the assembled unit ofthe pipe holding component 10 and elastic connecting component 50 arethen inserted in the clamp body 30. FIG. 19A shows the pipe holdingcomponent 10 and elastic connecting component 50 before assembly, and isan oblique drawing showing the appearance when elastic connectingcomponent 50 is placed on the upper portion of pipe holding component10. FIG. 19B is an oblique drawing which shows pipe holding component 10and elastic connecting component 50 assembled and inserted in clamp body30. FIG. 19C is a cross-section of FIG. 19B.

Referring to FIG. 19A, from what is shown in FIG. 19A, elasticconnecting component 50 will be moved in the direction of arrow C to thebottom towards pipe holding component 10. Perpendicular wall 13 of theleft-hand side of pipe holding component 10 enters the upper side ofbottom wall 56 from the vacant portion 57 of elastic connectingcomponent 50, and perpendicular wall 13 is pushed onto and attached tothe inner side of end wall 54 of elastic connecting component 50. Endwall 19 of pipe holding component 10 exits to the top portion from anaperture on the top of the inner side of end wall 55 of elasticconnecting component 50.

Ridge 18 of the pipe holding component 10 enters curved portion 59 ofelastic connecting component 50. The inclined portion 21 of pipe holdingcomponent 10 abuts a pair of side walls 51 of elastic connectingcomponent 50, and the pair of side walls 51 of elastic connectingcomponent 50 becomes wider. A plate engaging portion 63 enters below apair of plate portions 22 of pipe holding component 10. Boundary wall 25of pipe holding component 10 exits on the upper portion of elasticconnecting component 50. Holding rib 24 of pipe holding component 10abuts end wall 55 of elastic connecting component 50. When ridge 18 ofpipe holding component 10 has entered curved portion 59 of elasticconnecting component 50, elastic connecting component 50 is drawn out inthe horizontal direction, and holding rib 24 enters into the holding ribaperture 62 of elastic connecting component 50. The left and right upperend portions of pipe contacting portion 53 of elastic connectingcomponent 50 abut the lower surface of shelf portion 27 and the lowersurface of the convex portion 14, respectively.

Thus, the pipe holding component 10 and the elastic connecting component50 are assembled. Ridge 18 of the pipe holding component 10 engages withthe curved portion 59 of the elastic connecting component 50, andbecause holding rib 24 engages with the holding rib aperture 62 ofelastic connecting component 50, it does not slip to the sidewaysdirection.

Bottom wall 56 of elastic connecting component 50 is placed at thebottom side of the left-hand side portion of base 16 of pipe holdingcomponent 10. Also, because a pair of plate portions 22 of pipe holdingcomponent 10 engage below a pair of plate engagement portions 63 ofelastic connecting component 50, it is difficult for it to slip in theup-and-down direction.

Next, an assembled unit with the pipe holding component 10 and theelastic connecting component 50 assembled will be inserted into theclamp body 30. FIG. 19B is an oblique drawing which shows the appearanceof an assembled pipe holding component 10 and elastic connectingcomponent 50 inserted in clamp body 30. FIG. 19C is a cross-section ofwhat is shown in FIG. 19B.

The assembled unit of the pipe holding component 10 and elasticconnecting component 50 will be moved in the direction arrow a of FIG.19C. The holding rib containing aperture 61 of elastic connectingcomponent 50 in which holding rib 24 of pipe holding component 10 hasentered catches on the crank 47 of clamp body 30 and enters the ribinsertion aperture 48 which is below.

Next, the assembled unit of the pipe holding component 10 and elasticconnecting component 50 will be rotated in the direction of arrow b. Apair of side walls 51 of the elastic connecting component 50 enters intothe inner side of a pair of side walls 41 of clamp body 30.

Curved portion 59 of elastic connecting component 50 into which ridge 18of pipe holding component 10 has entered presses down on lock bar 49 ofclamp body 30; and lock bar 49 being bent, if curved portion 59 entersbelow lock bar 49, lock bar 49 returns to its original position; andlock bar 49 being locked in groove 58, ridge 18 and curved portion 59are locked so they do not slip. Thus, the assembled unit is securelyfixed to clamp body 30.

FIG. 20 is an oblique drawing which shows the appearance of a completedanti-vibration clamp, the pipe holding component 10 and the elasticconnecting component 50 being assembled and inserted into clamp body 30.FIG. 21A is a top plan view of the anti-vibration clamp; FIG. 21B is afront elevation view; and FIG. 21C is a right elevation view. Pipecontacting portion 52 of elastic connecting component 50 is much higherthan pipe passage 42 of clamp body 30, so that pipe passage 42 does notcome in contact with pipe P1. A pair of pipe contacting portions 52 ofelastic connecting component 50 is approximately the same height as thepipe bottom support 11 of pipe holding component 10 between these. Thesurface which receives pipe P1 of pipe holder S1 is the pair of pipecontacting portions 52 of elastic connecting component 50, the pipebottom support 11 of pipe holding component 10 between these and pipesupport 12. Pipe P1 is pressed down by elastic holding tab 15 and convexportion 14.

Pipe contacting portion 53 of elastic connecting component 50 is muchhigher than pipe passage 43 of clamp body 30 so that pipe passage 43does not come in contact with P2. The surface which receives P2 of pipeholder S2 is pipe contacting portion 53 of elastic connecting component50. Pipe P2 is pressed down by elastic holding tab 15 and convex portion14.

In holding a medium-sized pipe P1 in pipe holder S1, when pipe P1 ispressed from above in between the elastic holding tab 15 andperpendicular wall 13, elastic holding tab 15 is bent, and pipe P1 isreceived. If P1 is pushed and inserted far enough to abut bottom support11, elastic holding tab 15 returns to its original position and pipe P1is held in pipe holder S1 being pressed down from the diagonally upwarddirection.

In holding a thick pipe P2 in pipe holder S2, when pipe P2 is presseddown from above in between the elastic holding tab 15 and convex portion14, elastic holding tab 15 is bent, and pipe P2 is received. If P2 ispushed and inserted far enough to abut bottom support 12, elasticholding tab 15 returns to its original position and pipe P2 is held inpipe holder S2 being pressed down from the diagonally upward direction.

Pipe holders S3, S4 receive pipes P3, P4 with pipe bottom support 31 andpipe support 32 of clamp body 30. Pipes P3, P4 are pressed down by theelastic holding tab 35 and convex portion 34. Pipe holders S3, S4 beingformed in the clamp body 30 have no pipe vibration attenuating function.

FIG. 22 is an XXII-XXII cross-section of FIG. 21A. FIG. 23 is aXXIII-XXIII cross-section of FIG. 21 B. As shown in FIG. 22, an end wall54 of elastic connecting component 50 is interposed between theperpendicular wall 13 of pipe holding component 10 and the middle wall44 of clamp body 30. A holding rib containing portion 61 of elasticconnecting component 50 is interposed between the holding rib 24 of pipeholding component 10 and the end wall 45 of clamp body 30. Pipe holdingcomponent 10 and clamp body 30 becomes a floating clamp which does notcome in direct contact.

Ridge 18 of pipe holding component 10 is securely fixed by lock bar 49of clamp body 30 through curved portion 59 of elastic connectingcomponent 50. Holding rib 24 of pipe holding component 10 is joined tothe holding rib insertion aperture 48 of clamp body 30 through theholding rib containing aperture 61 of elastic connecting component 50.For this reason, pipe holding component 10 does not move in the sidewaysor up-and-down direction, and it is difficult for it to slip from theclamp body 30.

As shown in FIG. 23, a side wall 51 of elastic connecting component 50is interposed between boundary wall 25 of pipe holding component 10 andside wall 41 of clamp body 30. In cross-sections other than thecross-section shown in FIG. 23 as well, a side wall 51 is interposedbetween side surface 23 in the width-wise direction of pipe holdingcomponent 10 and side wall 41 of clamp body 30. Pipe holding component10 and clamp body 30 form a floating clamp which does not come in directcontact. For this reason, the vibration attenuating efficacy is high.Boundary wall 25 of pipe holding component 10 is held from both sides bymeans of side wall 41, through side wall 51 of elastic connectingcomponent 50. For this reason, pipe holding component 10 does not movein the width-wise direction, and it is difficult for it to slip fromclamp body 30.

FIG. 24 is the same cross-section as in FIG. 22 and shows the appearanceof anti-vibration clamp 1 holding pipes P1-P4 attached from below to astud ST securely fixed to a body panel. Pipe P1 is held in pipe holder51 and pipe P2 is held in pipe holder S2. Ridge 72 of stud lockingportion 70 of clamp body 30 is in a position higher than the uppersurface of perpendicular wall 13 of pipe holding component 10, the uppersurface of boundary wall 25 or the upper surface of end wall 19. Forthis reason, pipe holding component 10 opens a space from the body panelB above.

Pipe P3 is held in pipe holder S3 and pipe P4 is held in pipe holder S4.Ridge 72 of stud locking component 70 is in a position higher than thetop of end wall 33 of clamp body 30 and the top of middle wall 37. Forthis reason, pipe attaching portion 30 a opens a space from the bodypanel B above. Because anti-vibration clamp 1 contacts body panel B withonly the stud locking component 70, it is difficult for the vibration ofpipes P3, P4—which are held in pipe attaching portion 30 a—and thevibration of pipes P1, P2—which are held in pipe holding component 10—tobe transmitted to body panel B.

According to an embodiment of this invention, pipe holding component 10and clamp body 30 which are made from a hard resin are not in directcontact, and because there is an elastic connecting component 50 madefrom soft resin between these, it is difficult to transmit thevibration. Because pipe holding component 10 and clamp body 30 areengaged in the horizontal and width-wise direction through elasticconnecting component 50, it is difficult for them to slip. In accordancewith an embodiment of this invention, by having a pipe holding componentwhich holds the pipes, a clamp body which is attached to a body panel orthe like, and an elastic component between them, it is possible toachieve an anti-vibration clamp having high joining strength betweenthese structural elements.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the aboveembodiments have been described by way of example only, and not in anylimitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications arepossible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of assembling an anti-vibration clampfor securing a pipe to a mounting stud, comprising: positioning anelastic connecting component made of soft resin above a pipe holdingcomponent made of hard resin; and moving the elastic connectingcomponent relative to the pipe holding component so that an inclinedportion of the pipe holding component spreads apart a pair of side wallsof the elastic connecting component, such that a plate engaging portionof the elastic connecting component moves below and engages a plateportion of the pipe holding component.
 2. The method in accordance withclaim 1, further comprising: causing a ridge of the pipe holdingcomponent to enter a curved portion of the elastic connecting componentso that the elastic connecting component becomes elongated; and moving aholding rib of the pipe holding component into the elongated elasticconnecting component so that the holding rib enters a holding ribaperture of the elastic connecting component; whereby the elasticconnecting component is connected to the pipe holding component.